South Carolina Cotton Trail

South Carolina Cotton Trail

South Carolina Cotton Trail

Follow in the footsteps of Gen. William T. Sherman's Union Army which passed through the Cotton Trail on its way into North Carolina during the Carolinas' Campaign in 1865. This driving tour highlights the cotton industry from farm to gin and everything in between. Real cotton fields line the roads as the trail goes from I-20 (Bishopville) through Hartsville, Darlington, Society Hill, Chesterfield, Cheraw, Bennettsville, Clio and on to I-95 near Dillon. Many sites along the trail are historic in nature and depict the architecture and "way of life" of the day.
From the time cotton was "king" in the South through present day, African-Americans have played a major role in the agricultural developments of South Carolina. The South Carolina Cotton Trail travels through five rural communities with sites that include Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden, the SC Cotton Museum, the home site where Simon Brown first spun the tales of Brer Rabbit, and Dizzy Gillespie's hometown. Drive and experience a taste of this dynamic facet of Southern and Pee Dee heritage. Step-on guides available for motorcoach groups.